Sad News: US ambassador to Thailand's daughter, 17, dies in NYC fall

[Fulbright Thailand]

 

Dear all grantees of 2009 and 2010,

 

As you all know from the sad news oof US Ambassador to Thailand's daughther just died as news below

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/08/27/national/a103532D60.DTL&tsp=1

 

Ptip suggests that you should write a short and hearfelt condolence for Ambassador Eric G. John and his family on behalf of

groups of 2009 and 2010 Fulbright Thai grantees. As a result, we will have one message of 2009 and the one of 2010.

Then, just send it to TUSEF. Then we will collect them to the US Embassy in Thailand na krub.

 

Please discuss among grantees in your group and come up with condolence so soon na krub.

 

Ning/Pi Ning

----- Original Message -----

From: Prawit Thainiyom

To: fulbrigh...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 7:02 AM

Subject: Re: [FulbrightThai2010] Sad News: US ambassador to Thailand's daughter, 17, dies in NYC fall

The news is on US-Bangkok Embassy Website and it states that "Our thoughts and prayers are with the John family during this very difficult time. We ask that you respect their privacy as they mourn the tragic loss of their daughter Nicole." So, I think we shouldn't be doing anything apart from writing condolence messages to P'Tip so Fulbright Thailand can collate and send them, if it's appropriate, to Mr. Eric.

It's shocking to see the US news coverage has been conducted in a very sensationalized and disrespectful fashion. Sigh.

Wit  

On Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 3:56 PM, Teerayut Teeraspaluck <t.tee...@gmail.com> wrote:

In my opinion, we should ask someone close to the family what they think about this besides being overwhelmed with very sadness. They might have wanted to keep this moderately quiet. I don't know. It's just my random thought krub.

On Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 12:45 PM, Teerayut Teeraspaluck <t.tee...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear P'Wit and all,

Frankly speaking, I have no idea about what our position should be in expressing our condolence to the Ambassador krub. Let me know what you think. I mean I'm with you krub, P'Wit.

Anyway, I feel sorry to hear this. And, I hope that people especially Thais who read this news article by NYT will understand that she was too young to be judged. Considering her being raised in a different context, I think her father, in a way, got little to do with her being genuine about what she thinks about Thailand. Also, the writer was not there with her and might not even know her in person and what actually happened during that night.

Tee

On Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 7:55 AM, Prawit Thainiyom <pthai...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi everyone,

Not sure if you have heard this news already. I came across the news from sfgate website http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/08/27/national/a103532D60.DTL&tsp=1 that Mr. Eric John's daughter has passed away after falling from her 25-story apartment.

Should we send a group condolence to him? Is there anything that we Fulbrighters should be doing?

Best regards,
Wit

 

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[Thawiphum Wiban]

Dear P'Ning and All:

 

I'm extemely shocked to have learned the bad news through you. I hope this email finds you and all others in good health.

 

For all the 2009 Grantees, let's get started. If anyone of us would like to start writing something for others to add up, we would appreciate that. In the mean time, I'll try to figure out myself of what to write so that we can share.

 

Please let ourselves know if any of us have any suggestions of how to get started.

 

Best,

Phum

---

From: Fulbright Thailand <tu...@fulbrightthai.org>
To: fulbrigh...@googlegroups.com; fulbright...@googlegroups.com; Prawit Thainiyom <pthai...@gmail.com>
Cc: tusef <tu...@fulbrightthai.org>
Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 9:51:21 PM
Subject: Sad News: US ambassador to Thailand's daughter, 17, dies in NYC fall

--
คุณได้รับข้อความนี้เนื่องจากคุณสมัครรับข้อมูลจากกลุ่ม "Fulbright_Thai_2009" ของ Google Groups
หากต้องการโพสต์ถึงกลุ่มนี้ ให้ส่งอีเมลไปที่ fulbright...@googlegroups.com
หากต้องการยกเลิกการสมัครสำหรับกลุ่มนี้ โปรดส่งอีเมลไปที่ fulbright_thai_...@googlegroups.com
สำหรับตัวเลือกเพิ่มเติม โปรดเข้าสู่กลุ่มนี้ที่ http://groups.google.com/group/fulbright_thai_2009?hl=th

[Arkarachai fungtammasan]

Dear all,

I was shocked by the news also. Personally, I think this letter can be simple but we have better to do it fast. So, it would cheer up him. Even if we write a very elaborate one but send late, it's like bringing sad story back.

Chai

---

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:46:46 -0700
From: twi...@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Sad News: US ambassador to Thailand's daughter, 17, dies in NYC fall
To: fulbright...@googlegroups.com; fulbrigh...@googlegroups.com; pthai...@gmail.com
CC: tu...@fulbrightthai.org

๏ฟฝุณ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอค๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอง๏ฟฝาก๏ฟฝุณ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝัค๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝลจาก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ "Fulbright_Thai_2009" ๏ฟฝอง Google Groups
๏ฟฝาก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอง๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝสต๏ฟฝึง๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝไปท๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ fulbright...@googlegroups.com
๏ฟฝาก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอง๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝยก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝิก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝัค๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ ๏ฟฝรด๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝไปท๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ fulbright_thai_...@googlegroups.com
๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ ๏ฟฝรด๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ http://groups.google.com/group/fulbright_thai_2009?hl=th

--
๏ฟฝุณ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอค๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอง๏ฟฝาก๏ฟฝุณ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝัค๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝลจาก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ "Fulbright_Thai_2009" ๏ฟฝอง Google Groups
๏ฟฝาก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอง๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝสต๏ฟฝึง๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝไปท๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ fulbright...@googlegroups.com
๏ฟฝาก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอง๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝยก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝิก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝัค๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ ๏ฟฝรด๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝไปท๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ fulbright_thai_...@googlegroups.com
๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝับ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝอก๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ ๏ฟฝรด๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ http://groups.google.com/group/fulbright_thai_2009?hl=th

[Arkarachai fungtammasan]

I found that it's very hard to write this condolence letter because I didn't know about his value. I'm not sure is it gonna be good to say your daughter will be happy in heaven. If he is strong faith in Christian, he may be happy with that. BUT if not, this is a bad word of to say. I think the best word for living person is to live for the pass away person, but that's surely inappropriate as we are younger and lower position. I think the best way for those who are not closely related is some simple word. I draft here as a very simple version. 

Dear Ambassador Eric G. John,

We are so sorry to hear about your daughter news. It is a difficult time, and we are very sympathetic on this situation. I hope your family can pass it.

Best,

Fulbright Thailand 2009

It's super short, way to short maybe. Feel free to manipulate it as you think it would be better.

Chai

---

From: u470...@hotmail.com
To: fulbright...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Sad News: US ambassador to Thailand's daughter, 17, dies in NYC fall
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:57:51 +0700

[Thawiphum Wiban]

Hi Chai and All:

 

I appreciate Chai's effort to come up with something. Yes, I agree that the message must be very short and concise. And yes, we have to be careful about wording since it's a very sensitive issue. I had drafted someting similar to Chai's but my advisor suggested something like this:

 

"To H.E. Ambassador Eric John and Family:

 

We express our deepest condolence for the loss in your family. You are in our prayers to find the strength and solace during this most grievous of times. May God be with all of you.

 

2009 Fulbright Grantees in the United States"

What do you all think? If everyone agrees, we can go ahead and submit it. But if anyone would like to make some additional changes, please feel free to do so.

 

Best regards,

Phum

---

From: Arkarachai fungtammasan <u470...@hotmail.com>
To: fulbright2009 <fulbright...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tue, August 31, 2010 8:41:25 PM

คุณได้รับข้อความนี้เนื่องจากคุณสมัครรับข้อมูลจากกลุ่ม "Fulbright_Thai_2009" ของ Google Groups
หากต้องการโพสต์ถึงกลุ่มนี้ ให้ส่งอีเมลไปที่ fulbright...@googlegroups.com
หากต้องการยกเลิกการสมัครสำหรับกลุ่มนี้ โปรดส่งอีเมลไปที่ fulbright_thai_...@googlegroups.com
สำหรับตัวเลือกเพิ่มเติม โปรดเข้าสู่กลุ่มนี้ที่ http://groups.google.com/group/fulbright_thai_2009?hl=th

--
คุณได้รับข้อความนี้เนื่องจากคุณสมัครรับข้อมูลจากกลุ่ม "Fulbright_Thai_2009" ของ Google Groups
หากต้องการโพสต์ถึงกลุ่มนี้ ให้ส่งอีเมลไปที่ fulbright...@googlegroups.com
หากต้องการยกเลิกการสมัครสำหรับกลุ่มนี้ โปรดส่งอีเมลไปที่ fulbright_thai_...@googlegroups.com
สำหรับตัวเลือกเพิ่มเติม โปรดเข้าสู่กลุ่มนี้ที่ http://groups.google.com/group/fulbright_thai_2009?hl=th

[Phontip Tanompongphandh]

Hi all,

I look up some example online and it's much the same to what P Phum's adviser suggested. Anyway I have some thought about the message ka;

1. Should we add "and your family" in the 2nd sentence?

2. for the ending, can we omit "in the US" ka, me and N New aren't in the States leaw.

Best,

Pa

2010/9/1 Thawiphum Wiban <twi...@yahoo.com>

[Verapat Pariyawong]

This is very sad. On the night that it happened, which was in the morning in Thailand, my mom heard the news on the radio and called me since she met the ambassador at the party before we left. So it's not just us grantees but our family who had the pleasure of meeting the ambassador as well.

I recently expressed my condolence through a staff at the US embassy, and I learned that Mr. John was in the US while it happened, I think he is still there. However I was told that Mrs. John is still here in Bangkok. Perhaps if the letter is going to be delivered to the ambassador residence in Bangkok, we might as well add Mrs. John to the first line. I agree with all the previous comments regarding the wording na krub.

New

2010/9/1 Phontip Tanompongphandh <phon...@gmail.com>

[narun pornpattananangkul]

Hi all,

I was also shock when learning this news. I attempted to synthesize P'Phum's and Chai's ideas with mine. I like P'Phum's formal expression, and I also agree with Chai in that there are some cultural differences. We certainly don't know Mr. John's value and such, so I'm trying to keep it more secular. I also lengthen it a bit and corrected it according to previous suggestions. Here: 

"To H.E. Ambassador Eric John and Family:

 

We express our deepest condolence for the loss in your family. We are still in shock, especially that your daughter grew up in Thailand and love our country. We cannot imagine the pain of losing. We, however, hope that you and your family can pass through this  most grievous of times. You and your family are in our prayers to find the strength and solace. 

 

Sympathy from all of us,

2009 Thai Fulbright Grantees"

Please correct me for anything you all think is not right na krub.  

I hope that everyone is doing fine. I realize that this might not be a good time, but let's catch up in the next mail or two na krub. 

Best,

Non

PS. P'Phum krub, I'm so impressed by your bus ride na krub! 

---

From: Verapat Pariyawong <ver...@gmail.com>
To: fulbright...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 12:40:09 AM

[Arkarachai fungtammasan]

I think this newest version is very good krub.

Chai

---

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:20:29 -0700
From: nonn...@yahoo.com

2010/9/1 Phontip Tanompongphandh <phon...@gmail.com>

Best,

Pa

2010/9/1 Thawiphum Wiban <twi...@yahoo.com>

[Thawiphum Wiban]

Dear All, 

 

Thank you for your contributions. Sorry I forgot that Pa and New have already completed their programs and been back to Thailand already. I agree with all suggestions and just fixed a technical error by moving "this" and "most" in the forth sentence closer to each other with one space. Although I think the word "family" has it all, is there anyway to cater to New's idea of adding "Mrs. John" in the salutation line? If anyone would like to throw in some more chips by making some more adjustment, please go ahead and find a way to do so. And if Pi Ning thinks that we ran out of time, then this could be the final version.

 

"To H.E. Ambassador Eric John and Family:

 

We express our deepest condolence for the loss in your family. We are still in shock, especially that your daughter grew up in Thailand and love our country. We cannot imagine the pain of losing. We, however, hope that you and your family can pass through this most grievous of times. You and your family are in our prayers to find the strength and solace. 

 

Sympathy from all of us,

2009 Thai Fulbright Grantees"

 

 

In solidarity,

phum

---

From: narun pornpattananangkul <nonn...@yahoo.com>
To: fulbright...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 2:20:29 AM

[Fulbright Thailand]

Thanks to all for your synergy to come up with the version for us to pass on to the Ambassador na ka. Great job ka.

 

Ptip

[Sirirat Kasemset]

Dear all ka,

 

I am sorry for the late response na ka.

Thank all of you who drafted out this paragraph na ka. It is very well worded ka.

However, I have some additional suggestions ka.

 

1. I'm not sure if it is good to use the word "still in shock" since it seems intense in my view ka. Would it be better to say that "We were very sorry/sad to hear about your daughter, especially that she grew up in Thailnad". Also, from the news in the link that P'Ning sent to us, it seems like she does not much appreciate Bangkok. Thus, I think we should avoid mentioning about it. I'm not sure what do others think ka?

2. In the third line, since "grievous" is an adjective, should we omit "of". We can use only "most grievous times" instead of "most grievous of times" ka.

 

Please help suggest what do you all think na ka.

If I can come up with any other ideas (in time), I will share it right away ka.

 

Best,

Peach 

 

2010/9/1 Phontip Tanompongphandh <phon...@gmail.com>

 

Best,

Pa

2010/9/1 Thawiphum Wiban <twi...@yahoo.com>

[Thawiphum Wiban]

Thank you Nong Peach for trying to help. You have great ideas and I agree with that but it looks like your email and Ptip's just crossed. If we have time, it would be nice to negotiate the meaning and wording and learn from one another. Anyway, let me respond to your observation about the phrase "this most greivous of times". Yes, it doesn't sound logical to have "of" between an adjective and a noun, but this form is grammatically correct. In English Linguistics, this is referred to as "ellipsis", meaning that a word (noun) can be omitted certain phrases or sentences. I guess the full form of this phrase is "the most grievous event/moment/incident of times".

 

I hope you all enjoy your second year. I'll try to enjoy mine too.

 

Good luck everyone!

phum

---

From: Sirirat Kasemset <sirir...@gmail.com>
To: fulbright...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 1:47:09 AM

[Arkarachai fungtammasan]

Oh. I didn't know English that deep. Maybe we need P'Pu to tell which should be the best way.

Chai

---

Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:29:33 -0700

2010/9/1 Phontip Tanompongphandh <phon...@gmail.com>

 

Best,

Pa

2010/9/1 Thawiphum Wiban <twi...@yahoo.com>

[ptk...@gmail.com]

Wow! Professional explanation ja, Phum. Settle for the final version laew yuung ja? I think it's fine laew na ka!

Thanks to you all na ja! Your collective efforts are so touching.
Ptip

Sent via BlackBerry® from AIS

---

From: Thawiphum Wiban <twi...@yahoo.com>

Sender: fulbright...@googlegroups.com

Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:29:33 -0700 (PDT)

To: <fulbright...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: fulbright...@googlegroups.com

[Thawiphum Wiban]

Chai and all:

 

If the message has not been forwarded yet, it would be a good idea to change or replace the "problematic" parts (especially mine) with better ones. I don't have a very strong opinion about the part I proposed though (more than willing to change).  

 

Thanks again,

phum

---

From: Arkarachai fungtammasan <u470...@hotmail.com>
To: fulbright2009 <fulbright...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 3:47:12 PM

2010/9/1 Phontip Tanompongphandh <phon...@gmail.com>

 

Best,

Pa

2010/9/1 Thawiphum Wiban <twi...@yahoo.com>

[Sirirat Kasemset]

Dear P'Phum ka,

 

I think it will be fine as long as we can pass our condolence to the ambassador ka.

Also, thank you very much for your suggestions about the language na ka.

It is very good to learn about it ka.

 

I also wish that everyone will have a good time in their second year ka.

Good luck and enjoy your semester! ^__^

 

Best wishes,

Peach